Onsted to explore Irish Hills inter-government cooperative

ONSTED — Onsted village officials said they are interested in participating in a developing intermunicipality group for the greater Irish Hills area.

The Onsted Village Council voted unanimously Monday to attend a meeting in April to examine the benefits of the as-yet-unnamed multi-community network.

The idea has been developed under guidance by the Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce to unify under a large-scale recreation plan. Doing so would increase chances of receiving grants, receiving support and promoting a tourism campaign, Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Cindy Hubbell said.

The communities in the Irish Hills area — Norvell, Napoleon, Somerset and Somerset Center — are unincorporated and are part of their respective townships.

As things get financially tighter for government entities, Onsted village president Ron Bailey said, the collaborative could receive grants that help all area municipalities either directly or by association.

“Everyone has to have a recreation plan,” Bailey said. “If we and everyone can gain from this, that’s the whole purpose.”

Hubbell said discussions also have included Grant Bauman, the principal planner from the Region 2 Planning Commission.

Onsted village trustee Heidi Cannon said she sees the positive potential for an intercommunity group.

“When you collaborate when it comes to grants,” she said, “that’s huge.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.